Are Classic Guitar Lessons A Solid Foundation?
Like most kids my age, I wanted to play electric guitar. I figured that I could just learn a few chords, strum my guitar, and magically get hordes of groupies, flocking to my side. This is a common fantasy and a harmless one, but my parents encouraged me to have bigger dreams. They convinced me to take classical guitar instruction to start learning guitar. They argued that learning classical guitar would give me a much more solid foundation in how to play guitar. I would learn guitar techniques, understand musical theory, and once I was proficient, rock out with the best of them.
So I signed up for classical guitar lessons with the stipulation that, once I got good, I could get an electric guitar and start rocking. What I didn’t expect was how much I enjoyed to learn classical guitar. Learning acoustic guitar was like nothing else I had ever accomplished. I had never really listened to classical music before, but once I started playing it I became absolutely fascinated with it. It was so subtle, so complex, and so intricate. Although the rhythms were simple, the chord structures and variations added a grace that I had never heard in contemporary pop music. I was hooked, and it really helped motivating me to learn to play the guitar.
It helps that I was a natural at playing classical guitar. One of the things that they never tell you when you start to learn guitar is that your fingernails make a big difference in how well you can play. Guitarists with soft fingernails are doomed to be second-rate guitarists. You need to have strong fingernails or else you can’t properly pick the notes. Not only did I have good fingernails, but I had the sort of skinny long fingers that allow you to play bigger, more complicated chords with ease. My hands were made for playing the classical guitar, and my mind wasn’t far behind. I loved classical music by the time I had been at learning to play guitar for a couple weeks.
That is not to say I gave up my rock and roll dreams. On the contrary, once I passed beginning guitar lessons, I started to learn to play a little bit of rock ‘n roll as well. It was surprisingly easy to pick up after I had learned to play classical guitar. Don’t get me wrong, it does involve some skills they you don’t use in classical playing. Some of the chords are different, and you have to learn how to use a pick. Nonetheless, I had discovered such subtlety with my fingers that it was comparatively easy.
This article was written by our guest blogger Cyn.
My Updated Jamorama Learn Guitar Course Review
|
Disclosure: The opinions offered here are my own based on my experience. All information is verified as accurate at the time of review. If you choose to visit one of the courses I reviewed on this website and make a purchase I may receive a commission, how ever I do not allow this to interfere with my rating and review process. I never accept paid reviews and each product is thoroughly tested by me. All opinions offered here are my own. I am open to reviewing any guitar-training course – please feel free to email me with your suggestions. The New Jamorama Learn Guitar CourseI had bought the old version of Jamorama already two years ago (and returned it because I found it too basic). In July 2011 I bought their newly updated Deluxe version because I wanted to know why everybody else seems to like the course (they have now sold over 100,000 copies). And I have to admit, the new version is awesome!
Jamorama is a Step by Step downloadable learn guitar course, and members now have online access to a comprehensive members area. The Standard Edition is a beginner to advanced course and focuses on learning to play chords and strumming. The Deluxe Edition goes beyond the standard edition and takes the student into playing guitar solos, lead licks and scales. It provides you with over 12 months of lesson materials and prepares you to play famous songs. If you would like to see the specific features, please visit Jamorama.com for more information. I bought the Deluxe Edition for $99 and found it impressive. It is a complete package and covers the whole process of learning guitar, from strumming, muting and bending, to timing, reading music and playing songs. All parts of the Jamorama Learning Kit work well together to make learning to play the guitar fast and enjoyable. You can also get a Hardcopy Edition which contains the Jamorama Books, DVDs and Software plus online access. This means you can begin the lessons online right away while you wait for your package to arrive in the mail. With the Jamorama course you get some great free bonus games and software (GuitEarIt, Jayde Musica and Jamorama Metronome) for use on PC or Mac. |
How the Jamorama Guitar course works:Each lesson comes as video where you can watch a real player teaching you how to learn to play the guitar step by step. This is one of the neatest things about Jamorama, they have covered everything in detail and made it real easy to understand, so that everyone can follow and learn how to play guitar fast. So you can learn step by step at your own pace. For every lesson you have written material plus video and audio lessons, plus the software programs. I loved the video lessons and have to say the books are a clear and concise combination of instruction and encouragement, and really easy to understand, even for guitar newbies. I was also impressed with the bonus software and games. It’s a lot included in the course. You learn how to set up and tune your guitar, finger-picking and strumming. Also the Jamorama metronome is really handy. All in all, it is great value for the money compared to other guitar courses available online. The Standard version retails at the time of this review for $49, and the Deluxe package for $99. |
What I liked…
|
What I didn’t like…If you already know how to play the guitar and are looking to get to a more advanced level then Jamorama is not for you. I’d rather suggest the Learn And Master Guitar course. If you are new to the guitar, Jamorama is the most complete learn guitar course at the best value you will find online. |
Getting Started |
You can get the 
Click here to see the current price on the official Jamorama website
I hope this review was helpful to you.
Jamorama
Learn & Master Guitar